Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the 2014 New Leaders Meeting of the World Economic Forum, or the Summer Davos, in Tianjin, north China, Sept. 10, 2014. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

TIANJIN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Summer Davos forum.

Li spoke highly of the China-Serbia strategic partnership, which was the first to be established between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

China is ready to consolidate political mutual trust with Serbia, expand cooperation and increase cultural and personnel exchanges, he said.

Li also vowed to work with Serbia to ensure successful completion of the Belgrade-Budapest railway the two countries are jointly constructing along with Hungary. The three hope it will help revitalize the region's economy.

The Chinese premier said that cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe serves the common interests of both sides.

China is willing to work with Serbia to hold a successful meeting of leaders of China and Central and Eastern European countries this year and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, according to Li.

Vucic said Serbia is China's sincere friend. It will work with China on the railway and leaders' meeting this year so that cooperation between China and European countries can yield more fruit.

The 2014 New Leaders Meeting of the World Economic Forum, also known as the Summer Davos forum, will open in Tianjin on Wednesday afternoon. Li will address the opening ceremony.